Robert Pekrul
Honors American Education
Dr. Fogleman
13 September 2011 Personal Expertise Statement Throughout my schooling, whether elementary, middle, or high school, I have never been driven to be an expert of anything. I haven’t even striven to really be good at anything. I read a lot, I have survived life’s pitches, and I move on. Nothing too extraordinary, really. However, one could say that there is something about me that is natural and advanced in its own right. That is my ability to understand and empathize with other people.
Life in my family has never been easy. We have been homeless numerous times; we have had many nights without food; we preserve our clothing for years so that we know we do not waste and so that we will always have something to wear without having to spend money. These little struggles have only led me to look at other people and to see where they come from in comparison to myself and my families life. It isn’t uncommon for me to watch people in busy areas and speculate what they did in their earlier lives; what aspirations they had; what their parents wished of them for their future. This urge and aspiration to understand is a very important part of who I am. It defines me and it allows me to succeed.
Socrates, my personal favorite philosopher, called upon people to "know thyselves." Well, I may not know myself entirely, as I am sure all of us do not, but I certainly can say that I am fairly decent at understanding other people around me and that I am good at working towards understanding those around me. In school I was known for being there for many different people and for being willing and able to give decent advice to whomever wanted it. Jokingly, I have called myself “Dr. Phil” for all of the little therapy sessions that have occurred throughout the years. Knowing that I am helping someone, even in such a small way, is pleasing to me. It strives me forward in understanding people, and life in general, even more.
Being there for other people and being able to truly understand them is something that I want to do and it is something that I have unconsciously done for years. Years ago I made my best friend by stopping him from committing suicide. I was new to the neighborhood and saw him try to take his life. Now, he values his life and that of his family. It may be inappropriate to call myself an “expert” of understanding, but at least I can say that I am rather good at it. It is healthy for me, others, and I truly enjoy it all. So, therefore, if one was to say that I am an expert of anything, it can be said that I am an expert at attaching myself to humanity and sticking to it.
Honors American Education
Dr. Fogleman
13 September 2011
Personal Expertise Statement
Throughout my schooling, whether elementary, middle, or high school, I have never been driven to be an expert of anything. I haven’t even striven to really be good at anything. I read a lot, I have survived life’s pitches, and I move on. Nothing too extraordinary, really. However, one could say that there is something about me that is natural and advanced in its own right. That is my ability to understand and empathize with other people.
Life in my family has never been easy. We have been homeless numerous times; we have had many nights without food; we preserve our clothing for years so that we know we do not waste and so that we will always have something to wear without having to spend money. These little struggles have only led me to look at other people and to see where they come from in comparison to myself and my families life. It isn’t uncommon for me to watch people in busy areas and speculate what they did in their earlier lives; what aspirations they had; what their parents wished of them for their future. This urge and aspiration to understand is a very important part of who I am. It defines me and it allows me to succeed.
Socrates, my personal favorite philosopher, called upon people to "know thyselves." Well, I may not know myself entirely, as I am sure all of us do not, but I certainly can say that I am fairly decent at understanding other people around me and that I am good at working towards understanding those around me. In school I was known for being there for many different people and for being willing and able to give decent advice to whomever wanted it. Jokingly, I have called myself “Dr. Phil” for all of the little therapy sessions that have occurred throughout the years. Knowing that I am helping someone, even in such a small way, is pleasing to me. It strives me forward in understanding people, and life in general, even more.
Being there for other people and being able to truly understand them is something that I want to do and it is something that I have unconsciously done for years. Years ago I made my best friend by stopping him from committing suicide. I was new to the neighborhood and saw him try to take his life. Now, he values his life and that of his family. It may be inappropriate to call myself an “expert” of understanding, but at least I can say that I am rather good at it. It is healthy for me, others, and I truly enjoy it all. So, therefore, if one was to say that I am an expert of anything, it can be said that I am an expert at attaching myself to humanity and sticking to it.